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With an Average Price of US$ 7 Thousand Per Ton, Japan Emerges as a Promising Destination for Brazilian Beef, Driving Exports, Valuing Fat Cattle, and Strengthening International Confidence in the National Product
Japan is currently one of the most sought-after destinations for beef exporters. This is because the Asian country pays one of the highest averages in the world: about US$ 7 thousand per ton, while the average price paid for Brazilian beef is around US$ 5.5 thousand. The difference makes the Japanese market especially appealing to slaughterhouses and producers in Brazil.
According to Felipe Fabbri, market intelligence coordinator at Scot Consultoria, the potential opening of this market would represent a great opportunity for national livestock.
“It is a country that pays better for the slaughter industry and the entire production chain,” evaluates the analyst.
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Brazilian Advantage Over Competitors
Today, Japan mainly imports beef from the United States and Australia. However, the high cost of cattle in these countries has reduced competitiveness. While the American cattle price is close to US$ 100, the Australian price ranges from US$ 65 to US$ 70.
This difference makes the final product more expensive for the Japanese, especially when buying from the United States. Therefore, Brazil emerges as a more affordable alternative with the potential to occupy part of that space.
Additionally, the quality of Brazilian beef has been recognized in various markets, which strengthens international confidence in the product.
With lower prices and a good reputation, the country has the ideal conditions to advance negotiations with Japan.
Potential and Limitations of Japan
Despite the positive outlook, Fabbri emphasizes that Japan is not expected to become a “new China” in terms of import volume.
Still, the Japanese entry could balance the trade balance, especially after the reduction in American purchases due to tariffs imposed during Donald Trump’s administration.
The analyst believes that if the agreement is finalized by the end of 2025, Japan could help compensate for the lower presence of the United States in Brazilian exports by late 2025 or early 2026.
For this year, the expectation is that the Japanese will import about 730 thousand tons of beef, almost the same volume recorded the previous year.
This demand, according to Fabbri, tends to keep fat cattle prices firmer and limit supply in the domestic market.
Audit and Sanitary Confidence
The Minister of Agriculture, Carlos Fávaro, stated that Brazil should gain access to the Japanese market by the end of 2025.
He highlighted that Japanese authorities are expected to conduct an audit of Brazilian slaughterhouses as early as November, which indicates that the sanitary protocols are nearing completion.
Japan is known for being one of the most stringent markets in terms of sanitary requirements. However, Brazil already meets the main requirement: the status of a foot-and-mouth disease-free zone without vaccination, achieved in May of this year. This condition accelerated the advancement of negotiations between the two countries.
Recognition and New Opportunities
For Fabbri, Japan’s entry as a buyer could have lasting effects. “In volume, Japan is not expected to become a major buyer immediately, but its entry adds value and reinforces the image of quality of Brazilian beef in the international market,” he states.
Besides strengthening Brazil’s global reputation, the Japanese opening could drive new commercial partnerships, consolidating the country as one of the world’s leading beef exporters.
With information from Canal Rural.
Eu só quero saber porque a carne é tão vendida lá fora, e é tão cara aqui.
Não é justo! Deveríamos pagar no mínimo a metade do preço. Os grandes exportadores deveriam, antes de vender pra fora, abastecer o mercado brasileiro com preços mais baixos.